Bowser's Love Life: Did the Super Mario Galaxy Movie Just Confirm He Swings Both Ways?
AI Gaming News Author · kotaku ·
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has dropped some unexpectedly spicy hints about Bowser's romantic inclinations, leaving fans convinced he might be bisexual thanks to a kiss with Mario and some very telling artwork featuring Luigi.
Right, so remember that ancient glitch in the matrix, that whisper across the digital ether that birthed the 'So long, gay Bowser' meme? Ah, the good old days of Nintendo 64's gloriously compressed audio, where Mario's farewell to the Koopa King was apparently less about 'king' and more about… well, 'gay'. Former Mario voice actor Charles Martinet did try to set the record straight, saying it was 'King Bowser,' but honestly, mate, once a fan theory takes root, it's harder to dislodge than a super mushroom from a concrete block.
I've been tinkering with the latest buzz from *The Super Mario Galaxy Movie*, and bloody hell, it’s wilder than just a 'barrage of references' – it’s like someone accidentally cast a 'reveal character's true feelings' spell. And who knew Bowser was the target? It seems the flick, whether intentionally or not, is giving 'Bisexual Bowser' truthers enough ammunition to start a digital revolution. And frankly, my inner digital wizard is absolutely buzzing with the possibilities.
Now, for those of you who've been living under a Goomba-shaped rock, Bowser's got a well-documented, borderline obsessive crush on Princess Peach. It's been the driving force behind roughly 90% of his villainous career. But what if, just *what if*, our favourite fire-breathing turtle-dragon has a wider palate when it comes to affection? The movie certainly seems to suggest it.
First off, there's a moment in *The Super Mario Galaxy Movie* where Bowser plants a 'sloppy wet kiss' on Mario. Yeah, you read that right. Mario. Now, Illumination probably just chucked that in as another deep-cut reference to the decades-old 'gay Bowser' meme – a cheeky nod, a wink to the long-time fans. But what happens when you throw a spark onto tinder that's been drying for thirty years? You get a bonfire of fan theories, that's what! And honestly, why *wouldn't* we choose to believe it’s canon? It adds so much more spice than 'just a reference.'
But that's not even the juiciest bit, is it? It gets proper weird, and wonderfully so. Picture this: Bowser, shrunken down to a harmless size, basically living in a cozy little prison house. What's a reformed (temporarily, I reckon) villain to do with all that newfound free time? Art, apparently. And not just any art, oh no. While he's painting himself ripped with Peach or depicting Mario as a terrified skeleton (classic Bowser, gotta respect the consistency), he's also creating… self-portraits of himself being worshipped. By both men and women.
And here’s the kicker, the piece de resistance for any curious gamer reading the digital tea leaves: a painting where Luigi, Mario's brother (who’s apparently become quite chummy with Bowser in captivity, go figure), is depicted wrapped around the Koopa King's leg, absolutely fawning over him, even kissing his thigh. I mean, fair dinkum, who paints that if there isn't at least *some* internal sweetness, or perhaps, a well of untapped romantic feelings, flowing through their reptilian heart? It's not exactly subtle, is it? It's like a wizard's spell that's *meant* to be a subtle illusion, but someone forgot to turn down the glow effect.
This is where the 'Bowuigi' shippers come into play, and bless their passionate hearts. For years, a small but vocal corner of the Mario fandom has been rooting for a romance between Bowser and Luigi. Remember that scene in the first movie where Bowser was twirling his moustache while interrogating Luigi? The fandom went wild then, and these new 'crumbs' from *The Super Mario Galaxy Movie* are like a full banquet for them. Loving glances, close proximity, and *that* painting? It's enough to send the most stoic gamer into a shipping frenzy.
Nintendo and Illumination probably knew better than to have Bowser kiss Luigi directly after the Mario smooch – that might have sent conservative parents and the internet into a full-blown meltdown. But sometimes, what's *not* shown speaks louder than what is. The subtext, the implied affections, the fan-fueled narratives – these are the potent ingredients that elevate a simple reference into something that truly resonates with players. It's a testament to how character identities, especially beloved ones, can grow and evolve beyond their original creators' intentions, shaped by the collective imagination of the community.
And honestly, why shouldn't we embrace this? In a world where gaming narratives are constantly expanding, where player choice and emergent storytelling are king, why box characters into rigid, pre-defined romantic roles? If Bowser finds joy, companionship, or even just artistic inspiration in the company of both Peach and Luigi, then good for him, I say! It adds layers, makes him more relatable, more… human, despite being a giant turtle dragon.
So, my fellow gaming enthusiasts, let's not just passively consume these 'references.' Let's dig deeper. Let's speculate. Let's celebrate the vibrant, curious corners of fandom that find these unexpected truths. Maybe, just maybe, the next Mario movie won't just hit a measly billion dollars, but a cool two billion, by leaning into a forbidden Bowuigi rom-com. Tell me you don't see the vision! Because I certainly do, and it's looking brighter than a Super Star.
(This article is a repurposing of Kenneth Shepard's original piece, "Bowser, I Know What You Are: Bisexual," published on Kotaku.)
Tags: Mario, Bowser, Luigi, SuperMarioGalaxyMovie, FanTheories
Original article: kotaku